Helping build portfolio’s is always fun!
These two handsome boys definitely have what it takes and I hope that these photos help facilitate the beginnings of their modeling journey.
Braylon is 10 months and is just a delight!! Such a fun baby to work with!!
Brandon is one of the most easy going 10 year old’s you’ll meet!
Shooting kids can be challenging but I have been lucky enough to work with some great ones, and these two are definitely no exception.
Thank you Jeniffer for choosing me to take your boys photos!!
There is nothing like coming across genuine, honest, from the soul, people.
There are times when it just flows, and you have this natural and sincere connection.
It is like a breath of fresh air.
That is what it was like working with the Oteto family.
I had an amazing time with this family and getting to know them.
Even with a rain shower in the midst of our overcast day, it was a fun and fulfilling experience.
I truly appreciate and treasure this opportunity to be able to photograph these beautiful women. Their beauty truly resonates from the inside out.
Rose is expecting her second child and while all of her sisters were available she wanted to take photos to commemorate the special occasion.
Mother Dorothy and her daughters Mariam, Julia, Carra, Gianniana, Rose and her three granddaughters donned traditional Kenyan Maassai jewelry (the Oteto family is Luos) with beautiful bold prints.
Thank you Rose for entrusting me to capture your vision and congratulations on your growing family!!
Today confirmed one thing for me and my photography journey.
I do want to be a photojournalist.
I went down to Rosa Parks Circle today for the Solidarity March for Charlottesville, simply on a whim. I realized I actually could, and should make it down there, especially since I am getting back into the swing of things with the editorial/journalistic side of it all.
I am so glad I went. It was interesting, it was enlightening.
Not sure about the numbers, as I did not do enough research and I did not ask questions (NOTE: As a freelance photojournalist must remember to ask the pertinent questions for the subsequent blog/article that will be written to go with the photos) but there was a decent turn out and the people that did show were passionate and empowered.
The thing is, even with the short 24 hour window that the rally was thrown together more people could have, and should have responded. If we do not take a vested interest in each other as a people, as a community, as a nation, we are doomed.
Funny thing, I literally almost missed a very important part of the rally. I had walked off, and was actually going to head home but I decided to sit outside for a minute to “Snapchat” and look at my photos. Once I was done I felt the urge to go see what was going on. The thought was, maybe more people showed, maybe there is something else interesting to capture.
Well… there was…
While the rally was going on, just before the march began, a couple of “Three Percenters” (I guess that is how they identify) showed up. Just their presence of course was enough to shake people up and get them fired up. Things were very tense for a moment but thankfully it deescalated. The guys were in camouflage gear and yielding guns in holsters.
The crowd dispersed as the march began and those who stayed behind to handle the situation eventually left as well as the conversation was going no where and they felt it was a diversion from the march.
I loved being in the thick of it, of capturing the images as life happened.
Yes, I want more of that.
And that is why, as aforementioned, I am getting that photojournalist itch and I am going to figure out how to expand on that and make something of it.
As far as the socio-political climate I have to say this.
We cannot continue to fight each other. We cannot continue to not see each and every person on this planet as connected to us in some way, shape, or form. We are one… and unless we learn how to let go of prejudice and become an inclusive species we are doomed. What does that mean? It means treat people as people. It means be quick to listen and slow to judge. Of course there are some not so good people and some are unreachable, but we do not need to add to whatever it is they are going through with negativity. I was always taught to put yourself in the other persons shoes, see things from their perspective, also I was taught that no matter what you treat people with respect. There is the rule “innocent until proven guilty” that the courts are supposed to uphold, we need to do that in our personal lives. Let’s not pass judgement or assume a thing until you get to know someone.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
“A house divided against itself cannot stand” ~ Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States
On Saturday March 25 select businesses in the downtown Grand Rapids area got creative and put on a live mannequin display in their window in an event called Downtown Live.
I had so much fun photographing I Got Face‘s entry and watching all the hard word and creativity that goes into an event like this.
The team that put together I Got Face’s store front won best makeup and that was very exciting! Congrats to you all!
So I have not been as busy as I would like, but I did have the chance to photograph a few awesome seniors.
They are the class of 2017 and they are poised to take over the world. Beautiful, bright, amazing young ladies!!
I am so honored that I had the chance to capture your senior photos for you!
Enjoy your senior year! Take it all in. In the blink of an eye time passes and it becomes a distant memory you wish you could hold onto just a bit longer.
One of the many rewards to being a photographer is being able to watch the little ones you shoot grow up.
I have done quite a few shoots with Caius and am honored to have been able to document and create memories for him and his wonderful mother Latesha since he was a newborn.
This three year old has such a big, fun personality. An absolute joy to be around!
This beautiful young lady is my goddaughter (though I call her my niece).
I am so proud of the intelligent, strong and compassionate young lady she has become.
Stay strong, keep moving forward and always reach for your goals. (Yes totally cliche but I mean it).
What a sweetheart this 6 month old is.
I love babies and she definitely stole my heart.
I have known her mom since we were itty bitty so it was special for me to be able to capture a few photos for her.
Olivia already has an affinity for music (she loves listening to her daddy play the guitar) and books.
These photos were shot back in the beginning of October.
I have had the privilege of shooting this beautiful 14 year old for about three years I do believe.
She is such a talented and gifted dancer with a heart of gold.
It is a joy working with her and her family. They have been such a big support through my growth as a photographer, and it is so appreciated.
I always wanted to do a trash the shoe session, and this was just as fun as I thought it would be. Her shoes were what us in the ballet world refer to as “dead”, meaning little to no support and very uncomfortable, hence why we were able to have her en pointe, on concrete. She was a trooper through it all and the photos are wonderful.
True Light Images 